Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,947
Location: North Idaho
Jul 1, 2014 23:30:44 GMT
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Post by Nink on Feb 15, 2017 19:01:08 GMT
In that scenario, the late patient should have been rescheduled or told they have to wait to be worked in and the 1:15 been seen on time.
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Post by ilikepink on Feb 15, 2017 19:02:40 GMT
Wow. Makes you wonder about people - seemingly normal people - when something a simple as that escalates so quickly!
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Post by snugglebutter on Feb 15, 2017 19:11:50 GMT
It really depends on the type of practice and the nature of the appointments at that practice. In the case you describe, I would have taken the 1:15 woman first.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Feb 15, 2017 19:18:40 GMT
So, yesterday's fiasco: I was at the eye doctor with my son to pick up his glasses, get them ffitted properly, etc. We weren't waiting for the Dr (one Dr practice). There was a (seemingly perfectly normal and pleasant) 40-something woman sitting near us. I heard the entire conversation when she came in, new patient, 1:15 appt, was there a few minutes before 1:00. She finished her paperwork in a couple of minutes and was sitting there chatting with me here and there. She was on her lunch break from work. At 10+ after 1:00 (didn't check the time) the 1:00 appt walked in. She didn't vocalize any reason or excuse, just signed in and said she had a 1:00. Woman 1:15 makes a remark to me about her being late and how she better not make HER late. Not a minute or two later woman 1:00 was called back. Woman 1:15 was NOT having that! She stood up, walked to the tech, and told her she was here first and that she was next. The tech asked what time her appointment was, she told her 1:15, and woman 1:00 lost it. She yelled that it wasn't even her appointment time yet (it was probably right at 1:15), she needed to sit her ass down and back the F off. The tech just stood there wide-eyed looking at the receptionist. Woman 1:15 didn't say anything, just walked past woman 1:00 toward the hallway of rooms. The tech then said she needed to wait til she was called, to which she replied, "it's my appt time, so you need to call ME." Everyone was loud at this point, and I guess the Dr heard and came out to the hallway (there was a wall behind the receptionist area that blocked my view, but I could sure hear it all! They were both told to leave and the police were called. They were out in the parking lot still yelling when the police arrived! I have to say, this was certainly a first for me! I have never seen an argument break out in a waiting room! Question about the sign in sheet, though. If everyone is taken in the order they signed in, what stops a 1:15 appointment from coming at noon (if that works better for them) and just signing in?! Wow - what drama! I think both women were in the wrong and in the end, if they had to leave and police were called, they both missed their appointments, lol. And to your last point, I was wondering the same thing. If you take the person who is early or signed in early, what's the cut off for people coming in early to sign in? I can't imagine why there would be a cut off for coming in early for your appointment. I used to see a doctor on the ther side of town. For a 4:00 appointment I would get there around 3:15. It made more sense for me to go directly from work. I explained the situation and the staff was fine with it. I didn't expect to go early but once in a while someone would run late or not show and they would get me in early. Win/win since I was usually one of their last patients which meant they got done a few minutes early. I would never expect to go ahead of people who showed up on time for their appointments though.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Feb 15, 2017 19:20:22 GMT
It really depends on the type of practice and the nature of the appointments at that practice. In the case you describe, I would have taken the 1:15 woman first. I agree, in this case I would have seen the 1:15 person first, well until all the drama!!! WOW, I can't even imagine!
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Post by kimpossible on Feb 15, 2017 19:25:51 GMT
In the order of the sign in sheet. That is how my primary care, OB/GYN and eye doctor do it too.
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Feb 15, 2017 19:28:12 GMT
Wow - what drama! I think both women were in the wrong and in the end, if they had to leave and police were called, they both missed their appointments, lol. And to your last point, I was wondering the same thing. If you take the person who is early or signed in early, what's the cut off for people coming in early to sign in? I can't imagine why there would be a cut off for coming in early for your appointment. I used to see a doctor on the ther side of town. For a 4:00 appointment I would get there around 3:15. It made more sense for me to go directly from work. I explained the situation and the staff was fine with it. I didn't expect to go early but once in a while someone would run late or not show and they would get me in early. Win/win since I was usually one of their last patients which meant they got done a few minutes early. I would never expect to go ahead of people who showed up on time for their appointments though. Your situation sounds fine (like you did "standby"). I was referencing the point if people think they get their early and sign in on the sheet first, that they would be called earlier. Which is fine if there is an opening before your appointed time, but not to go ahead of people who are there on time for their appointments.
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Post by berty on Feb 15, 2017 19:30:35 GMT
I generally agree with what others have posted. I would only add that my irritation is that they expect me to forfeit my appointment if I'm over 10 minutes late (which I never have been) BUT I am generally not seen until 45 minutes after my appointment time. Why can't I grab a starbucks or wait in my car (away from sick people) if they are always running behind. My time isn't any less valuable than theirs. This is my major pet peeve. I have seen doctors double or triple book on purpose. I know that they have to see so many patients a day and unexpected things come up, but I hate busting my butt to be on time only to wait over an hour to see the dr. I think a lot of the frustrations could be lessened if doctors didn't act like their schedule always takes precedence over everyone else's all the time.
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Post by hop2 on Feb 15, 2017 20:00:14 GMT
So, yesterday's fiasco: I was at the eye doctor with my son to pick up his glasses, get them ffitted properly, etc. We weren't waiting for the Dr (one Dr practice). There was a (seemingly perfectly normal and pleasant) 40-something woman sitting near us. I heard the entire conversation when she came in, new patient, 1:15 appt, was there a few minutes before 1:00. She finished her paperwork in a couple of minutes and was sitting there chatting with me here and there. She was on her lunch break from work. At 10+ after 1:00 (didn't check the time) the 1:00 appt walked in. She didn't vocalize any reason or excuse, just signed in and said she had a 1:00. Woman 1:15 makes a remark to me about her being late and how she better not make HER late. Not a minute or two later woman 1:00 was called back. Woman 1:15 was NOT having that! She stood up, walked to the tech, and told her she was here first and that she was next. The tech asked what time her appointment was, she told her 1:15, and woman 1:00 lost it. She yelled that it wasn't even her appointment time yet (it was probably right at 1:15), she needed to sit her ass down and back the F off. The tech just stood there wide-eyed looking at the receptionist. Woman 1:15 didn't say anything, just walked past woman 1:00 toward the hallway of rooms. The tech then said she needed to wait til she was called, to which she replied, "it's my appt time, so you need to call ME." Everyone was loud at this point, and I guess the Dr heard and came out to the hallway (there was a wall behind the receptionist area that blocked my view, but I could sure hear it all! They were both told to leave and the police were called. They were out in the parking lot still yelling when the police arrived! I have to say, this was certainly a first for me! I have never seen an argument break out in a waiting room! Question about the sign in sheet, though. If everyone is taken in the order they signed in, what stops a 1:15 appointment from coming at noon (if that works better for them) and just signing in?! They were both wrong Poor tech I appreciate when a doctor sees me on time, however were I the 1:15 person I would not have said anything until maybe 1;30 any patient who leaves exact time for a medical appt is cutting it too close
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
Jul 8, 2014 20:17:31 GMT
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Post by scrapaddie on Feb 15, 2017 20:22:49 GMT
We used to have the very best insurance. We were always called as soon as we came in the office, no matter who was sitting there. Oh hell I miss that insurance. You can not believe how I miss that insurance. On that not The office should stick to the schedule. Altho we all know that getting back into a room doesn't mean that you will get seen any faster. Why would your insurance matter? And I would be pretty ticked off if you walked in and got called ahead of me after I had been waiting!!
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naby64
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,926
Jun 25, 2014 21:44:13 GMT
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Post by naby64 on Feb 15, 2017 20:26:11 GMT
We used to have the very best insurance. We were always called as soon as we came in the office, no matter who was sitting there. Oh hell I miss that insurance. You can not believe how I miss that insurance. On that not The office should stick to the schedule. Altho we all know that getting back into a room doesn't mean that you will get seen any faster. Why would your insurance matter? And I would be pretty ticked off if you walked in and got called ahead of me after I had been waiting!! I wondered about the insurance thing also. How does having one insurance over the other get you a jump in the line? I have never witness anything like that either. My jaw would be on the floor. It seems around here you sign in when you walk in the door. I have seen some take you back in that order. Some I think it has worked with the problem they came in with and staying close to the appt. time.
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Post by epeanymous on Feb 15, 2017 20:27:44 GMT
Most places I have gone it is in order of sign-in. I'm not super invested, however. I think one point of confusion for me here is what the doctor was doing from 1:00 to 1:15. If they were free, why didn't they see the patient who was there early and have the other patient wait? If they weren't because they were seeing a third patient, weren't both the 1:00 and 1:15 going to be seen later than their appointment times anyway?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 5, 2024 8:52:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 20:40:21 GMT
We used to have the very best insurance. We were always called as soon as we came in the office, no matter who was sitting there. Oh hell I miss that insurance. You can not believe how I miss that insurance. On that not The office should stick to the schedule. Altho we all know that getting back into a room doesn't mean that you will get seen any faster. Why would your insurance matter? And I would be pretty ticked off if you walked in and got called ahead of me after I had been waiting!! Because it paid the doctor really good? I think it covered the whole visit. Nobody in the office had to wait for a doctor appointments, same day visits. Never had to wait for specialist. I miss that insurance.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,866
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Feb 15, 2017 20:48:42 GMT
Wow! That's crazy that things got so heated! I almost always arrive at appointments a few minutes early, usually just by 5 minutes. There have been times where I have waited 30 minutes to be seen and I always wonder what the hold up is.
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Post by nicoleq on Feb 15, 2017 21:10:22 GMT
Wow, that was quite the drama.
I get irritated when people are late. But honestly, I find that doctors make me wait more than anything else, and frankly, I'm sick of it. I get that they can't make all their clients be on time. I've seen all the Facebook memes stating to be patient as they are providing the best service possible and will be giving me the same kind of time. I've even read the wall posting in their offices stating they are doing their best. But dang it, my time is important too. And I'm paying for a freaking service! These days I feel like it's just expected I should wait 20, 30 or more minutes because of everyone else's 'emergencies, drama, unexpected events, etc'.
I guess it's all about finding a balance... a certain amount of late is okay. I suppose for each of us that amount of time is different.
I just fired my vet (if that is the 'fired' right word) as this is the 2nd time in a row that I've spent 1.5 hours for an appointment for my dog.
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Post by peasapie on Feb 15, 2017 21:15:10 GMT
No one. Everyone gets seen an hour late no matter how early they arrive.
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,623
Jul 31, 2014 5:23:25 GMT
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Post by craftymom101 on Feb 15, 2017 21:16:28 GMT
When I worked at a doctor's office we took people back in the order they arrived. This policy worked great, for the most part.
We had several doctors on each floor, and we would have issues if Patient A arrived at noon, and Patient B arrived at 12:10. If Patient A's doctor was running behind and didn't get called back for 45 minutes, but Patient B's doctor wasn't running behind and was called back only a few minutes after arriving, usually Patient A would come up to the desk and ask why Patient B was called back when Patient A arrived first. Every. Single. Time. People would get so damn upset! I explained how each doctor had their own schedule, own nurse, and managed their own calendar of patients, but I would get yelled at a couple of times per week, at least.
I also had a mom show up 30 minutes late for a back to back to back WCC visit for her three children, then get pissed that she had to entertain her young kids in the waiting room for over an hour because the doctor took other patients before her. She called me "disrespectful" and "rude" because I wouldn't just take her back to a room and skip two other people in front of her who had shown up to their appointments on time. :/
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Post by chaosisapony on Feb 15, 2017 21:41:20 GMT
I work at an eye Dr and that exact situation happens frequently. I was so surprised when I first started how many people think its totally fine to stroll in 10 minutes late.
Anyway, we don't have a set policy. If the late person is there for a quick appt we will still take them. If they are going to require a longer time we will often flip flop the patients and tell the late one exactly why.
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Post by papersilly on Feb 15, 2017 21:45:33 GMT
the early person goes first. why reward bad (late) behavior with priority? i think late person should be seen the first moment something opens up after the on-time people are called.
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on Feb 15, 2017 22:58:27 GMT
Yup according to who's on the sign in sheet.. unless as mentioned there are other serious complications or events that occured causing the lateness and how late. I would be pissed too if it was over who had better insurance. I have had enough experience with that happeneing in the hospital.
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Post by mcscrapper on Feb 15, 2017 23:46:30 GMT
We used to have the very best insurance. We were always called as soon as we came in the office, no matter who was sitting there. Oh hell I miss that insurance. You can not believe how I miss that insurance. On that not The office should stick to the schedule. Altho we all know that getting back into a room doesn't mean that you will get seen any faster. It is actually illegal to do that. Health care providers cannot allow preferential treatment to patients based on insurance status. SaveSave
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Post by annabella on Feb 15, 2017 23:48:06 GMT
I'm always the early person and am never seen early.
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Post by keesha on Feb 15, 2017 23:54:51 GMT
Once when I was at my mammogram a lady showed up an hour late, the tech told her she could take a seat and maybe they could squeeze her in (no pun intended!). Mine went quickly so there was plenty of time to do her after me. The tech told her to thank me for being on time and such a cooperative patient (which she did haha).
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Post by katiekaty on Feb 16, 2017 0:46:00 GMT
You have an appointment time. Allow enough time before hand for updating insurance and making payment and you may be seen by your appointment time. Usually requires showing up at least 15-20 minutes before your appointment if you are an established patient and 30 minutes if new patient.
I have worked in a doctors office. There is no such ting as first come first served, my appointment is first, etc. You get seen when your paper work is pretty much done, your insurance is verified and payment is done.
There are anywhere from 3-5 or more exam rooms in the back. A CNA, CMA or nurse will get your vitals, weight ant the basics: reason for your visit, medical history update, medication update. After they place you in an exam room and have you get ready for the visit, gown as necessary or whatever preparations for the visit or set up, they leave. When the leave they flip a flag or some sort of notice near the door to let the doctor know the patient in the room is ready to be seen.
Have your list of questions ready FOR THE DOCTOR. Save it for the doctor. And the nurse, CMA/CNA probably cannot answer your questions because they cannot predict what the doctor will prescribe for treatment. And make sure the doctor has explained everything before he leaves because tracking home down after he sees is not feasible as he is off and running to the next patient. Added note: make the best use of your few moments with the doctor! They rely on their office staff for everything so they only have to see time to see the patient before moving on. Their may be as many as 2-3 patients scheduled every15 minutes!!!
Want to get seen faster? When you make your appointment make sure they have you CURENT insurance information. ASK if there is any new forms that will need to be filled out for the visit that can be found online or faxed to you-then FILL them out and BRING them with you. When you get to the office: Have a CURRENT list of medication, List of recent illnesses, past surgeries, ALLERGIES and reactions. Copy of your insurance card and ID. And MAKE SURE TO BRING PAYMENT. When you get to the back: Please don't partially undress to be weighed! It's ok to removed jacket, but shoes and jewelry don't make that much difference! Besides who wants to put there feet where a bunch of others have probably put them before. And if there is a possibility that yo may have to remove top or bottom, please don't wear a dress, stocking, suit, complicated underthings, etc. Keep it simple. And if you are going to need a lot of assistance, bring someone to help you; nurse does not have that kind of time! Same thing if you are in a wheelchair, walker or use other aides, please bring someone to help.
All of the above can make a huge difference if you are in and out or if you are there for a long time. You can believe it when I say, if you take you don't have you insurance card with you it, you payment ready, you are a new patient, someone to assist you, etc. that it will take you longer and others may be called ahead of you.
Be prompt, which usually means showing up early by at least 15 minutes to take care of front of the office business, so you can get to the back of the office at YOUR APPOINTMENT time!
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,706
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Feb 16, 2017 1:01:20 GMT
You have an appointment time. Allow enough time before hand for updating insurance and making payment and you may be seen by your appointment time. Usually requires showing up at least 15-20 minutes before your appointment if you are an established patient and 30 minutes if new patient. I have worked in a doctors office. There is no such ting as first come first served, my appointment is first, etc. You get seen when your paper work is pretty much done, your insurance is verified and payment is done. There are anywhere from 3-5 or more exam rooms in the back. A CNA, CMA or nurse will get your vitals, weight ant the basics: reason for your visit, medical history update, medication update. After they place you in an exam room and have you get ready for the visit, gown as necessary or whatever preparations for the visit or set up, they leave. When the leave they flip a flag or some sort of notice near the door to let the doctor know the patient in the room is ready to be seen. Have your list of questions ready FOR THE DOCTOR. Save it for the doctor. And the nurse, CMA/CNA probably cannot answer your questions because they cannot predict what the doctor will prescribe for treatment. And make sure the doctor has explained everything before he leaves because tracking home down after he sees is not feasible as he is off and running to the next patient. Added note: make the best use of your few moments with the doctor! They rely on their office staff for everything so they only have to see time to see the patient before moving on. Their may be as many as 2-3 patients scheduled every15 minutes!!! Want to get seen faster? When you make your appointment make sure they have you CURENT insurance information. ASK if there is any new forms that will need to be filled out for the visit that can be found online or faxed to you-then FILL them out and BRING them with you. When you get to the office: Have a CURRENT list of medication, List of recent illnesses, past surgeries, ALLERGIES and reactions. Copy of your insurance card and ID. And MAKE SURE TO BRING PAYMENT. When you get to the back: Please don't partially undress to be weighed! It's ok to removed jacket, but shoes and jewelry don't make that much difference! Besides who wants to put there feet where a bunch of others have probably put them before. And if there is a possibility that yo may have to remove top or bottom, please don't wear a dress, stocking, suit, complicated underthings, etc. Keep it simple. And if you are going to need a lot of assistance, bring someone to help you; nurse does not have that kind of time! Same thing if you are in a wheelchair, walker or use other aides, please bring someone to help. All of the above can make a huge difference if you are in and out or if you are there for a long time. You can believe it when I say, if you take you don't have you insurance card with you it, you payment ready, you are a new patient, someone to assist you, etc. that it will take you longer and others may be called ahead of you. Be prompt, which usually means showing up early by at least 15 minutes to take care of front of the office business, so you can get to the back of the office at YOUR APPOINTMENT time! I've never heard of arriving 20 minutes early for a doctors appt that you are an established patient. I never arrive more than 10 minutes early; if it takes my doctors office 20 minutes to photocopy an updated insurance card and swiping my debit card, they are wayyyyyy overbooking or not hiring enough staff and I would not be going back. as far as who goes first, I don't pretend to know why people are the doctors. Some apps are made clearly as placeholders because you're own your way and are very sick/have a sick kid and they simply have to put you in the books. My doctor, aside from routine visits, will have his nurse triage his patients to see who gets a room first; doesn't mean you are seen first, just get sent back first.. I'm glad. If you're there for a simple blood draw for a 1:15 appointment and I'm late for my 1:00 because I have a fever of 104 and can't breathe and just called an hour earlier and they worked me in, I appreciate that my doctor realizes that me sitting in his waiting room is doing no favors and only exposing his patients to whatever is going in with me.
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Post by Really Red on Feb 16, 2017 1:30:47 GMT
I generally agree with what others have posted. I would only add that my irritation is that they expect me to forfeit my appointment if I'm over 10 minutes late (which I never have been) BUT I am generally not seen until 45 minutes after my appointment time. Why can't I grab a starbucks or wait in my car (away from sick people) if they are always running behind. My time isn't any less valuable than theirs. Yes! I was once 10mns late to an appt 1.5 hours away. We expected to be there 30mns early, but the office moved and we didn't get told (we went once a year and I guess it had been too long). I would not have minded waiting, except when we got there, they were already an hour behind so it didn't matter at all - not one bit - that we were there 10 mns late. They made us wait 3 hours for the appt. That seemed ridiculous to me. But calling the police on those women!!! Holy moly! In the circumstance OP described, I absolutely agree that 1:15 should have been taken first. 1:00 forfeited her appt when she didn't arrive. It's not fair that SHE makes everyone late. If I were 10mns late and everyone wasn't already waiting, I would have understood completely being fit in 3 hours late.
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Post by hookedonpeas on Feb 16, 2017 4:22:43 GMT
Why would your insurance matter? And I would be pretty ticked off if you walked in and got called ahead of me after I had been waiting!! Because it paid the doctor really good? I think it covered the whole visit. Nobody in the office had to wait for a doctor appointments, same day visits. Never had to wait for specialist. I miss that insurance. I have worked in the medical field from pediatrics to family med, and now OBGYN and we have never given precedence to any "good" insurance. Honestly, we have no idea what "good insurance" is. In my experience, 15+ years, I have never, as a nurse, gave 2 craps what an insurance paid, I just take care of the patient. I'm concerned about whomever you saw that treated you as royalty just because you had "good insurance". I hope that is just a misconception on your part.
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